Prof. Byakika Takes Charge
Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST) has officially installed Prof. Pauline Byakika Kibwika as its new Vice Chancellor in a move that’s bound to stir up both excitement and envy in academic circles. This appointment isn’t just a step forward; it’s a giant leap onto the proverbial podium as she becomes the first woman to assume this prestigious role in the university’s history.
The news was met with the kind of fanfare usually reserved for the arrival of a new royal or the debut of a Premier League football star. The University Council, like a well oiled football team, has shown great optimism about Prof. Byakika, who will be stepping into the shoes of Professor Celestine Obua. Professor Obua, who has been steering the ship since October 24, 2014, is now transitioning to chair the Uganda National Examination Board (UNEB), leaving big shoes for his successor.
Dr. Warren Namara, the Chairperson of the University Council, couldn’t have been more delighted. He compared the selection process to a high stakes game of musical chairs, but with a lot more at stake. “We’re thrilled to have Prof. Byakika onboard. She’s got the pedigree, the professionalism, and the youthful energy to take MUST to new heights,” Namara proclaimed, sounding like he had just unveiled the latest game-changing technology.
Prof. Byakika, previously the head of the Department of Medicine at Makerere University, stood out in a competitive field that included candidates as varied as MUST’s own Professor Amon Agaba and Dr. Joel Bazira, as well as Dr. Lynnette Kyokunda from the University of Botswana and Dr. Juliet Mwanga Amumpaire of the Mbarara Research Centre. Imagine the job interview room—a sort of academic gladiator arena—where Prof. Byakika emerged victorious.
During her public presentation at Kihumuro Campus on July 29, 2024, Prof. Byakika laid out a vision that seemed to promise a renaissance for MUST. She envisions elevating the university to the top of national rankings, among the elite twenty in Africa, and even breaking into the top 1000 globally. If her plans pan out, we might soon see MUST as a beacon of academic brilliance.
Dr. Medard Bitekyerezo, the convocation chairperson and the National Drug Authority board chairperson, joined the chorus of congratulations. His remarks were as optimistic as a village elder predicting a bumper harvest after a good rainy season. “We wish her the best and hope she’ll collaborate with other staff to elevate MUST,” he said.
Prof. Byakika’s appointment symbolizes more than just a change in leadership. It represents the breaking of historical barriers. Mbarara University, established in October 1989, has always been on a mission to deliver top-notch education with a focus on science and technology, and it looks like Prof. Kibwika is set to continue that tradition with a fresh, new twist.
